Over the next two weeks, the Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) will host Customs Officers from 13 African countries for a Master Trainer Program on Rules of Origin. The program is facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
One of the main objectives of the MTP is to strengthen the capacity of Customs Officers on Rules of Origin, which is considered critical to the successful implementation of Trade agreements, most particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.
During the official launch, Commissioner General of the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) Jeannette Makgolo was optimistic that the program would graduate a pool of experts who can be trusted with sustaining capacitation efforts in their respective African countries. She further cited the MTP’s significance in the collective journey towards regional integration and economic prosperity.
“This program resonates well with Botswana’s transformational aspirations which recognise Regional Integration as a critical aspect in building an export-led economy which will ultimately enable Botswana’s economic transformation from an Upper Middle Income to a High-income status by 2036,” she said.
She emphasised the role of Customs Administrations in the growth of national economies as well as global economic growth, further citing initiatives such as uniform and transparent application of Rules of Origin in International Global trade which reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks at the ports of entry, fostering a business-friendly environment that is conducive for investment and economic growth.
Makgolo stated that effective enforcement of Rules of Origin requires cooperation, transparency and capacity building among Member States, which MTP has contributed tremendously to.
“It is my expectation that once trained, the Customs officials will ensure that only products genuinely originating from Member States enjoy tariff preferences, which will foster regional integration, stimulate economic growth and enhance the competitiveness of African industries in the global market.”
According to the Deputy Manager of the WCO/JICA Joint Program Takeshi Ikeda, until June 2021, around 150 Masters Trainers on key Customs matters were developed in Africa and from 2018 to 2023, 49 000 people not only in their own countries but also in other countries received training from the Master Trainers, making them regional assets.
